Introduction
Throughout history, the use of physical force in its various forms has been a crucial instrument to achieve what cannot be obtained through political negotiation, transforming humans into Hobbesian wolves willing to massacre millions with the legitimacy of their boundless power. The so-called Western civilization eventually reached the conclusion that individual human rights are inalienable and that extralegal violence has no place in the modern world.
The 20th Century: A Shift Away from Non-Violence
The two world wars and the aftermath of the Cold War shattered the liberal aspiration to renounce force in favor of a state that guarantees individual life, security, and property. Military dictatorships and totalitarian regimes continued to glorify indiscriminate violence as a means of maintaining order in their societies.
The fall of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the European Union paved the way for an economic integration model and reaffirmed democracy as the only solutions to exclusionary and authoritarian nationalism enamored with the use of force.
The 21st Century: A Resurgence of Exclusionary Expressions
However, the 2008 economic crisis, Brexit, and Donald Trump’s victory in 2016 opened the door to a resurgence of exclusionary expressions, leading to the abandonment of politics as a universal mechanism for coexistence.
This bellicose trend reached its peak in 2026 amidst Putin’s war against Ukraine and the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. The U.S. president decided that the use of force was the only way to resolve conflicts, believing that the superpower, with its immense military technology, could impose conditions on all, including Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Venezuela, and any nation failing to align with its particular interests.
This forceful approach also extended to the U.S., where a policy of indiscriminate repression against undocumented immigrants led to fatal encounters between migrants and ICE officers acting impulsively, without professionalism, and fueled by prejudice. The irrationality of such violence knows no bounds, and state violence without legal regulation becomes an uncontrollable monster.
Historical Context and Warning
Napoleon once said, “One can do anything with bayonets except sit on them,” highlighting the futility of state force without societal legitimacy. We seem to be returning to eras where a strongman with the best weapons can dictate the planet’s future. Beware.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main theme of this article? The article discusses the resurgence of using force as a political tool, drawing parallels to Thomas Hobbes’ concept of the state of nature and warning against a return to strongman politics.
- Who are the key historical figures mentioned? The article references Thomas Hobbes, Napoleon Bonaparte, and former U.S. President Donald Trump to illustrate the cyclical nature of force-driven politics.
- What events are highlighted as catalysts for this trend? The 2008 economic crisis, Brexit, and Donald Trump’s election are identified as significant factors contributing to the resurgence of exclusionary expressions and forceful politics.
- What is the warning at the end of the article? The article cautions against a return to eras where strongmen with superior force dictate global events, emphasizing the dangers of unregulated state violence.
